KR101442303B1 - Unlicensed mobile access(uma) terminal location in a communications network - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for managing location information of a UMA terminal in a GSM network. The IP address of the terminal is received from the general access network controller. The generic access network controller then sends a query to the connectivity session location and storage function associated with the IP network or IP subnetwork for which the terminal has acquired IP connectivity to connect to the communication service node. The connectivity session location and storage function transmits location information to the general access network controller and then the general access network controller sends location information to the mobile switching center or serving general packet radio service system node.

Description

(UMA) TERMINAL LOCATION IN A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK < RTI ID = 0.0 >

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a field of terminal location in a communication network, in particular in a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network.

GSM is commonly used as a standard for mobile communications. A GSM subscriber can use their terminal to connect to a GSM network via a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) server because a mobile switching center server can use circuit switching calls, packet switched services, mobility management and other GSM services To the user terminal.

When a GSM subscriber is connected to the MSC, the base station controller (BSC) in the radio access network reports a call that the subscriber resides in the MSC. The BSC also reports the current cell to the MSC when, for example, the subscriber initiates a GSM service when the subscriber's mobile station performs a periodic location update procedure and the subscriber changes a point to another location area. The MSC may use an internal mapping to associate a location identifier (or location number) with the subscriber's current cell. The location number indicates the physical or geographical location of the subscriber, and may be used by the MSC and by Value Added Services (VAS). Examples of VASs that use subscriber locations for service logic processing include Home Zone, Office Zone, and Location Based charging. Often, a public land mobile network (PLMN) operator uses the E.164 number as the location number. If this is done, the operator specifies a number plan for its own radio access network, and the location area in the radio access network has a location number associated with it. The location area may be a single GSM cell or a group of cells, as defined by the operator. The location number is similar to the fixed network number. For example, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) number can be used to some extent to identify the location of a subscriber.

A Generic Access Network (GAN) enables a GSM subscriber to obtain access to a GSM network using an unauthorized spectrum such as a wireless LAN and Bluetooth. GAN is a formal term used by 3GPP, but this technology is more commonly known as UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access). The term UMA may be employed to refer to unauthorized mobile access or general access networks used in the remainder of this document. Access to the GSM network using UMA is typically done using terminals that support both regular GSM access and UMA access. Such a terminal is referred to herein as a UMA terminal. The UMA makes it possible for a subscriber with a UMA terminal to perform handover between GSM access and WLAN access, both at the time of the call and at the time of the call other than the call.

When a GSM subscriber uses a UMA terminal to connect to a GSM network, there is currently no defined mechanism by which the MSC associates the location number and the subscriber's current location. This is because the Generic Access Network Controller (GANC) acting as the BSC does not report to the MSC a call related to the subscriber's current access, and therefore the MSC can not use its normal method of deriving the location number.

The UMA subscriber can access the GSM network through a home WLAN access point connected to a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL). A DSL connection provides IP connectivity. In turn, the UMA terminal registers with the GANC using IP connectivity, after which the GANC registers the subscriber with the MSC. If the subscriber uses UMA to access the GSM network via DSL, it may be desirable to be able to assign the DSL line number as the location number for the subscriber. For example, when a subscriber uses UMA to access a GSM network via DSL, the location of the subscriber may be determined by the DSL line identity. Similarly, if UMA is used over the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) in the home and the PSTN number in the user's home is +46 26 157000, the subscriber's location number for UMA access will be +46 26 157000.

If a service, such as a Virtual Private Network (VPN), is providing a call to or from the subscriber, the VPN service may receive the current location number of the subscriber. If the reported location number is, for example, +46 26 157000, the VPN can deduce that the current location of the subscriber is being serviced by the GANC from the location number (+46 26 157000) at which the VPN was reported, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > WLAN / DSL < / RTI > How the location number relates to the GANC will be described later.

It is necessary to have an available location number for an emergency call when using UMA access. The operator is enforceable to provide the location of the subscriber to call when the subscriber makes an emergency call. In addition, there is often a need for a lawful intercept (LI) system that can determine the location of the calling party or the called party. The solution to this problem is provided in WO 2007/048028 even though it involves communicating with a Serving Mobile Location Center (SMLC) that it is servicing. The SMLC must send a positioning request to the database and calculate the location using the received information. This requires bandwidth and processor usage for each location request. Another solution in the context of the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) is to query the Connectivity Session Location and Storage Facility (CLF) using the media access control (MAC) address of the access point. However, the MAC address is easily changed so that the MAC address can not be reliably associated with the location information.

The present invention provides a mechanism for making a location number, such as a PSTN DSL line number, available in a GSM network when the user connects to the GSM network via the UMA.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for managing location information of a UMA terminal in a GSM network is provided. After receiving the IP address of the terminal, the general access network controller transmits a connection session location (Connectivity Session Location) associated with the IP network or IP sub-network for which the UMA terminal has acquired IP connectivity to connect to the mobile switching center, And sends a query to the Repository Function. The connectivity session location and storage function returns location information to the general access network controller in response to the query. The general access network controller then transmits the location information from the general access network controller to the communication service node, the communication service node is a mobile switching center MSC and a Serving General Packet Radio System Service Node (SGSN).

The location information may be transmitted from the general access network controller to the communication service node using an enhanced GSM connection procedure.

Alternatively, a request from the communication service node for location information may be received before transmitting the location information from the general access network controller to the communication service node. In response to the request, the location information is transmitted from the general access network controller to the communication service node. In this way, the communication service node can explicitly request the location information when the location information is needed.

Before making the request, the communication service node may determine a location area code and a cell identifier from a Cell Global Identifier reported from the general access network controller. The combination of the location area code or the location area code and the cell identifier indicates whether the terminal is connected through a general access network controller. As a result of the determination, the request for location information is transmitted from the communication service node to the general access network controller.

Alternatively, the UMA access may be used to replace the W-CDMA radio access, and prior to making the request, the communication service node may determine the location area code and the service area code from the cell global identifier reported from the general access network controller . The combination of the location area code or the location area code and the service area code indicates whether the terminal is connected through the general access network controller. As a result of the determination, the request for location information is transmitted from the communication service to the general access network controller.

The location information may include an E.164 public switched telephone network number. Alternatively, the location information may be selected from any of virtual line identity, zip code, geographical information, geodetic information, and location information identifying a WLAN access point.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a general access network controller for use in a GSM network is provided. The general access network controller includes a receiver for receiving an IP address of a UMA terminal, a processor for generating a query message, and a transmitter for transmitting the query message to a connectivity session location and storage function associated with the terminal. The receiver is adapted to receive a response message in response to the query, the response message including location information. Moreover, the transmitter is adapted to send a message containing location information to a node selected from a mobile switching center and a serving general packet radio system service node.

The general access network controller includes a memory for storing location information so as to maintain the recording of the location information.

The message including location information to be transmitted to the mobile switching center or the serving general packet radio system service node includes a direct transfer application part message, a base station application part (BSSAP) An Access Network Application Part (RANAP) message, a SOAP / XML message, and an LDAP message.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile switching center for use in a GSM network. The mobile switching center comprises a receiver connected to the mobile switching center and receiving a message from the node in the access network, the location information of the subscriber being served, the location information relating to the UMA terminal.

The mobile switching center may comprise means for determining a location area code and a cell identifier from the reported cell global identifier before receiving the message comprising location information. The combination of the location area code or the location area code and the cell identifier indicates that the terminal is connected through the general access network controller. The transmitter is also provided to transmit a request for location information to the general access network controller, in accordance with the result of the determination.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a Serving General Packet Radio Service System node for use in a GSM network. The serving general packet radio system service node includes a receiver connected to the serving general packet radio system service node and receiving a message from a node in the access network, the message including location information of a subscriber being served, will be.

Advantageously, the serving general packet radio system service node comprises means for determining a location area code and a cell identifier from the reported cell global identifier before receiving the message comprising location information. The combination of the location area code or the location area code and the cell identifier indicates that the terminal is connected through the general access network controller. The transmitter is also provided to transmit a request for location information to the general access network controller, in accordance with the result of the determination.

In the manner described above, the present invention can clearly provide a UMA terminal location within a communication network.

Figure 1 briefly illustrates the architecture required for the present invention;
2 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of an embodiment of the present invention;
3 schematically shows a general access network controller of the present invention; And Figure 4 schematically illustrates a mobile switching center according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a UMA terminal 10 connected to a DSL access network 200. A Network Access Configuration Function (NACF) 3, which is typically located in the network of the IP access provider, is used to assign an IP address to the UMA terminal 1. Connectivity Session Location and Store Function (CLF) 4 is also typically shown as being located in a network of IP access providers, which are capable of communicating with the NACF 3 and the General Access Network Controller (GANC) have. The GANC 5 can in turn communicate with a mobile switching center (MSC) 6 in the GSM network 7 or with a serving general packet radio system service node (not shown) in the GSM network 7.

If a subscriber with UMA terminal 1 wishes to access the GSM network via the DSL network 2, the steps are as follows. Some of the above steps are shown in FIG.

1. The ADSL modem in the UMA subscriber's home obtains IP connectivity. It broadcasts a DHCP request to obtain an IP address. The DHCP request is received by the DHCP server of the IP subnet to which the subscriber's DSL line is connected. The connection of the DSL line to the public internet is via a DSL access multiplexer (DSLAM) (not shown in FIG. 1).

2. The DHCP server uses the services from the integrated or near NACF (3) to obtain the IP address assigned to the DSL line.

3. NACF (3) provides location-related information for the DSL line from the DSL operator. Alternatively, the information may be provided to the CLF, as will be described later.

4. The NACF (3) pairs the IP address assigned to the DSL line with location-related information (PSTN number or virtual line identity). The NACF (3) reports the circuit identity to the CLF (4). The CLF 4 is provided with a corresponding location number for the line identity, in response to an operator request.

5. The NACF (3) reports the IP address and location information to the CLF (4). This can be reported using an appropriate IP-based protocol. When the CLF 4 receives only the DSL line identity from the NACF 3, the CLF uses the internally stored location information to relate the received IP address and location number. The location number stored in the CLF and associated with the DSL line identity is provided to the CLF through the management means. The CLF 4 may also be provided with geographical location information for the DSL line identity. The CLF then maintains an association between the IP address and location information.

6. UMA terminal 1 uses IP connectivity from its WLAN access point to connect to MSC 6 in GSM network 7 as a UMA subscriber. The UMA terminal 1 establishes an IP tunnel together with the GANC 5. The setting of the IP tunnel is done according to the UMA specification.

7. As shown in FIG. 2, the GANC 5 receives the IP address of the UMA terminal 1 as part of setting up the IP tunnel (8). The GANC 5 sends the query to the CLF 4 using this IP address (9). If the DSL access is operated by an operator different from the operator of the GSM network 7, including the GANC 5, the IP address of the UMA terminal 1 is used to derive the address of the CLF 4. The agreement between the DSL provider and the GSM operator is executed and it becomes possible for the GANC 5 to query the CLF (4) of each DSL operator. In response to the query, the GANC 5 obtains the location information associated with the IP address (10). The present invention introduces an interface between GANC (5) and CLF (4). This interface is similar to Session Border Gateway (SBG) and CLF interfacing and is commonly used.

From this point, the GANC 5 maintains the location information of the UMA terminal 1. [ The UMA terminal 1 exchanges a Direct Transfer Application Part (DTAP) message with the MSC 6 using the established IP tunnel and sends the media to the media gateway which sends the media via the GANC 5 / Lt; / RTI >

The MSC 6 then obtains the location information from the GANC 5 (10). This can be done in several ways, two examples are described in steps 8a and 8b below:

8a: In one embodiment of the present invention, the GANC 5 enhances the connection message sent from the UMA terminal 1 to the MSC 6. The GANC 5 includes location information in the connection message. In this way, the MSC 6 directly receives location information (such as a location number) during the connection procedure. This method enables efficient transmission of location information. In the information flow from the BSC (not shown) to the MSC 6, it is known to enhance the radio information, for example when a GSM subscriber establishes a communication channel with the MSC 6, A function including "wireless reporting" may be implemented in the BSC. The location number (or other location information obtained from another CLF 4) may be included in the information flow.

8b. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the GANC 5 does not enforce connection messages. Instead, the MSC 6 operates as follows: The MSC now includes a software procedure that derives the location number from the cell global identifier that the mobile station (MS) previously reported to the MSC during the connection procedure or during the location update procedure . According to this embodiment, the software procedure is enhanced. The CGI includes a mobile country code (MCC), a mobile network code (MNC), a location area code (LAC) and a cell identifier (CI). The LAC is associated with the location area; The location area is defined by a portion of the radio access network serviced by a number of BSCs (typically one). The GANC acts as an MSC-oriented BSC and therefore has a LAC assigned to it. When a UMA subscriber is connected to the MSC, the LAC value contained in the CGI reported by the MS to the MSC is associated with the GANC (5). The value of LAC therefore indicates whether the subscriber is connected to the MSC via the BSC or via the GANC. If a combined GANC-BSC is used, the combined control node uses its own LAC value to indicate the mode of access. Alternatively, the combined GANC-BSC has a single LAC value assigned to it. In this case, the CI value needs to be considered with the LAC value to distinguish between UMA access and regular GSM access. The above-described software procedure in the MSC deduces from the LAC that the subscriber is connected through the GANC 5, which triggers the MSC 6 and performs the operation on the GANC 5 to obtain the location information of the subscriber . The address of the GANC 5 to which the query is to be sent is provided at the MSC 6 (MSC 6 and GANC 5 belong to the same operator). If the operator's network includes multiple GANCs, then the address of the GANC (5) to which the query is sent is derived from the LAC reported from the GANC (5). The subscriber is identified in the query by its International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), at which time the GANC 5 makes the subscriber's IMSI available. The MSC 6 may determine whether it should retrieve location information of the subscriber. The MSC 6 may retrieve location information from the GANC 5 using LDAP, SOAP / XML or any other suitable protocol.

Referring to FIG. 3, a GANC 5 is shown. The GANC 5 includes a receiver 12 for receiving the IP address of the UMA terminal 1. [ The processor is provided to generate a query message for transmission to the CLF 4 to obtain location information. The transmitter 14 is also provided for transmitting a query message. The receiver 12 may also receive a response to the query message, and the response includes the requested location information. The information may be stored in the memory 15 in the GANC 5.

Referring to Fig. 4, there is shown an MSC 6 according to the embodiment in step 8b above. The MSC 6 includes a receiver 16 for a message containing the location information of the UMA terminal 1. [ A processor 17, a memory 18 and a transmitter 19 are also provided. In the embodiment described in step 8b above, the processor 17 and the transmitter 19 are used to generate and send messages directed to the GANC requesting location information.

The above description describes the case where the UMA terminal 1 is connected to the MSC 6 using a WLAN access at its home. The WLAN access point is connected to the DSL so that the DSL is coupled to the PSTN line. The MSC and VAS are used to associate the location number with the location of the subscriber within the radio access network. In this manner, the user's UMA terminal 1 is associated with its home location number when the user himself connects to the GSM network 7 through his home WLAN access point.

Location information associated with the UMA terminal may be provided to the MSC when the UMA terminal is connected to the MSC using a UMA access other than the subscriber's home WLAN access point. In this case, different location numbers will be reported to the MSC, and thus the location-based service (VAS) will detect that the subscriber is not in its home.

The invention can also be applied when a subscriber uses IP connectivity, even though other types of location information can be provided to the MSC, even if there is no PSTN line associated with the IP connection. Examples of other types of access include public WLAN hotspots and stand-alone DSL subscriptions, i.e. DSL subscriptions without PSTN subscription.

In this case, the location number associated with the subscriber does not exist. In the case of a public WLAN, a WLAN access point with which the UMA terminal 1 accesses the GSM network 7 will still use the DHCP query to obtain the IP address. The operator of the WLAN access point may then provide the NACF or CLF with appropriate location information for the WLAN access point. In such cases, geographic information may be provided to the NACF / CLF, or information such as a zip code may be provided to the NACF / CLF. The information will then be reported to the GANC 5 when the GANC 5 queries the CLF and subsequently reported to the MSC 6. Currently, the MSC has the capability to include information elements such as CGI, location numbers and geographical information within the location concession for subscribers. If the MSC receives other types of information, such as zip codes, from the GANC, the internal structure of the MSC needs to be strengthened.

The present invention enables the UMA terminal 1 to connect to the MSC 6, and the location information of the user, such as the home PSTN number, is reported to the MSC 6. This home PSTN number replaces the location number. In this manner, the location based service and the VAS can determine whether the UMA subscriber is residing in the home location of the user or in a different location.

When the UMA terminal 1 receives the call, the location information including the location number can be reported to the VAS function. A service such as a VPN may use the location number to impose a special charge for the call, indicating that the subscriber is in his home, using the UMA (e.g., in a country where the termination of the call charge is applied ).

The present invention provides a solution for emergency calls via UMA. When a subscriber makes an emergency call (for example, '112', '911') via the UMA terminal, the location number and geographic information for the subscriber will be available at the MSC and the nearest public safety answering point : ≪ / RTI > PSAP).

The present invention allows the GANC (5) to acquire location information associated with the UMA terminal (1). The GANC obtains this information from the CLF (4) during the GSM connection. The CLF 4 includes location information of the UMA terminal, which may include operator requirements and configuration, E.164 location number, geographical information ('geographical coordinates'), zip code, or any arbitrary Lt; / RTI >

The location information is included in the GSM connection procedure from the GANC 5 to the MSC 6. Alternatively, the MSC 6 queries the GANC 5 to obtain location information. The location information of the UMA terminal 1 received in this way can be used for MSC-based location services, value-added services, emergency calls and legitimate intercepts.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, although the above description describes the invention as applying to the MSC, the above description may alternatively be applied to a serving general packet radio system service node (UMA) when a UMA access is used in place of a W- SGSN). ≪ / RTI >

Claims (15)

A method for managing location information of an unlicensed mobile access (UMA) terminal in a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network,
In a general access network controller, an IP (Internet Protocol) address of a UMA terminal is received through a secure IP tunnel connecting a general access network controller to the terminal through a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) connection of a digital subscriber line (DSL) Receiving, by the UMA terminal, the IP address received after using the WLAN connection to obtain IP connectivity for connecting to a communication service node in the GSM network;
Sending a query to a connectivity session location and storage function that stores location information for the WLAN connection from the general access network controller, the query comprising transmitting the query comprising the IP address of the UMA terminal ;
Receiving, in response to the query, the location information from the connectivity session location and storage functions, the location information comprising: receiving the location information including an E.164 telephone number of the digital subscriber line; And
And transmitting the location information from the general access network controller to the communication service node in one of a response to the location information request received from the communication service node and an enhanced GSM connection message. How to manage location information. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the communication service node is selected from one of a mobile switching center (MSC) and a serving general packet radio system service node (SGSN). The method according to claim 1,
When location information is transmitted to the communication service node in response to a location information request received from the communication service node,
In the communication service node, a location area code indicating that the terminal is connected through the general access network controller or a combination of the location area code and the cell identifier is determined from the reported cell global identifier, the location area code and the cell identifier step; And
Further comprising, as a result of the determination, transmitting a location information request from the communication service node to the general access network controller. The method according to claim 1,
When location information is transmitted to the communication service node in response to a location information request received from the communication service node,
At the communication service node, a location area code indicating that the terminal is connected through the general access network controller or a combination of the location area code and the service area code from a reported cell global identifier, a location area code and a service area code Determining; And
Further comprising, as a result of the determination, transmitting a location information request from the communication service node to the general access network controller. 1. A general access network controller for use in a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network,
A receiver configured to receive an IP (Internet Protocol) address of a UNLICENSED MOBILE ACCESS (UMA) terminal accessing a general access network controller via a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) connection of a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL);
A processor configured to generate a query message including an IP address of the UMA terminal; And
And a transmitter configured to transmit the query message to a connectivity session location and storage function that stores location information for the WLAN connection,
Wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a response message including location information including an E.164 telephone number of the digital subscriber line in response to the query;
The transmitter is further configured to send a message containing location information in one of the response to the location information request and the enhanced GSM connection message to a node selected from the mobile switching center (MSC) and the serving general packet radio system service node (SGSN) Gt; access network < / RTI > 6. The method of claim 5,
The message comprising location information to be sent to one of the MSC or SGSN includes a direct transfer application part (DTAP) message, a base station system application part (BSSAP) message, a radio access network application part (RANAP) message, a SOAP / Message. ≪ / RTI > A mobile switching center for use in a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network,
A processor for determining from the one of the reported cell global identifier, the location area code, and the cell identifier and the service area code that the UMA (UNLICENSED MOBILE ACCESS) terminal is connected via the general access network controller;
A transmitter for transmitting a location information request to the general access network controller; And
A receiver for receiving, from the general access network controller, a message including location information of a serving subscriber connected to the mobile switching center via a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) connection of a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Wherein the location information relates to the UMA terminal, wherein the location information comprises an E.164 telephone number of the digital subscriber line. 1. A serving general packet radio system service node for use in a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network,
A processor for determining from the one of the reported cell global identifier, the location area code, and the cell identifier and the service area code that the UMA (UNLICENSED MOBILE ACCESS) terminal is connected via the general access network controller;
A transmitter for transmitting a location information request to the general access network controller; And
A receiver for receiving from the general access network controller a message including location information of a serving subscriber connected to the serving general packet radio system service node via a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) connection of a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) , The location information relates to the UMA terminal, and the location information includes an E.164 telephone number of the digital subscriber line. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete

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